Borders and more borders

Crikey I have learnt a lot again this week, Michael the HG is a great teacher and is very good to make sure I do different things in the garden. I have been up to all sorts, even if it may seem boring to others I am learning at every turn.

I spent some time in the kitchen garden which has sections divided by Box hedging and archways running along the length of the central path, raised containers and pathways. There is a central pond with Box balls and apple tree tunnels and mixed borders. Wisteria hangs above you along some of the grass paths and a gravel bed against a wall, includes Clematis Montana, Euphorbia, Crown Imperial. It is a hot spot to work in but obviously all the veg are super happy. I chopped down Spinach and Chard this week which was going to seed, cared for newly planted Courgettes and Cucumbers and planted Ipomea 'Heavenly Blue' to climb up the archways opposite to some Gourds on the other side. I planted in mirror format, so once through the central path, the plants swapped sides. I planted out Helianthus 'Prada Red' and more Sweet Peas (Harlequin and Venetian), which we will train to Willow wigwams, the Willow coming from the garden itself.

Lots to do at this time of year but many plants have come out of the greenhouse, into the cold frame and made their final journey out into the garden already.

I also spent some time with Michael in the mixed borders in a private area of the garden near the Peto ponds. Deep borders full with herbaceous plants and this allowed me the opportunity to work with Michael and identify every plant. A huge help! We also used Hazel sticks to support larger plants, a beautiful way to stake and the plant grows through the structure hiding it completely.

I also got to back comb a big Stipa grass which had some dead foliage underneath but the plant got me back by giving me an itchy rash all along my forearms. The Alliums are coming now and are great to work with as you get a wiff of onion on the way through if you move the soil at their feet. Heale has lots of Iris and so I was involved with dead heading where needed.

So much to do in such a garden as Heale coming into the Summer but I am loving every minute of being there. How could you not love Lambs, Pigs, Peacock, Swans overhead and beautiful plants for as far as the eye can see. Even when I have my head in a border, hair sticking to rose thorns, I get the chance to sneak a peek at the rest of the garden, it is a joy.